Judiciary Square Hospital
Ward 1 Washington DC
June 9, 1864
Master Jacob Wead,
Dear Sir,
I rec'd your very kind letter some 3 or 4 weeks ago, but owing to the pressure of military affairs, it was impossible for me to reply before this. When I tell you that I have been for the 10 days and nights without taking off my belt you will realize you will be able to see at once how busy we have been.
We broke camp on the morning of May 4th last and have been fighting or marching all the time since. On the night of the last day of May I was on picket and at 6 ½ o'clock on the morning of the first of June, the pickets were drawn off, we then marched of(sic) to Cold Harbor, over very dusty roads, and under a scorching hot sun, a distance of 15 miles with scarcely a drop of water to drink, and what we did get was not fit to drink.
Then we joined the Brigade at 4 ½ o'clock pm. They were preparing for a charge on the enemy. We moved off and took up our position, which was changed a little however about 6 o'clock. Shortly after we commenced moving forward, and in the course of 20 minutes as we were advancing in a brilliant charge, through a mess of standing and fallen trees, swamps and through a heavy shower of leaden and iron hail, and a dense sheet of fire on we went. When we got within about yards of the rebel rifle pit when a ball struck my saber, then glanced cutting a hole in the outside of my pants, bruised the main artery in my left groin enough to break the skin and make it very sore, but the ball did not go in. So you see I have great cause to thank and bless the Lord for His great mercy in sparing me, and you would think so were you to see what I have gone through and the number of other poor fellows who have been cut and mangled in all shapes and parts of their bodys in fact it almost beggars description. After I left the field our men still pressed on carryed the reb work & our regt took some 300 prisoners.
I arrived here on the 7th tired and weary. I am quite comfortable now, with the exception of a little soreness, I am able to walk without a cane and I think that I will be at the taking of Richmond. This is a very good hospital, clean and good attendants and in a very healthy part of the city.
I see by this morning's paper that Old Uncle Abe is again nominated for the Presidency. I am glad of that.
The weather is very warm, but not as warm as it is farther south where I have been.
My kind regards to all friends, I hope you are all well, I have not had a letter from home for over 3 weeks for the reason the mail could not come to us.
As I have no more news at present I will close,
I am, sir, respectfully,
William White.
